Local premiere of Grace Jones film this weekend

Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami, a documentary about the Jamaican superstar model, singer, songwriter and actress, will have its local premiere this weekend.

According to a release sent to The Gleaner, the film directed by Sophie Fiennes, splices Jones' musical performances with intimate footage that reveals the complexity of the pop icon's fascinating life. From her early years in Jamaica to her eruption as an androgynous model on the world stage, the film documents Grace Jones' commanding presence as she plays many roles: daughter, mother, grandmother, sister and lover.

The Jamaica premiere, scheduled for Saturday at Carib 5 at 4:30 p.m., follows screenings in London and Toronto. Immediately following the screening, Jones is expected to engage Gleaner columnist and cultural analyst Carolyn Cooper in a sit-down interview not to be missed.

On Sunday, those outside of Kingston eager to see the film will get a chance as it makes its way to the Cove Cinema in Ocho Rios. The screening is expected to start at 5 p.m. There will also be after parties on Saturday at Devon House and at Island Village on Sunday.

VOW FESTIVAL

The film premiere is the lead event for the Voice of a Woman Festival (VOW), which is produced by filmmaker Maureen Bryan.

According to a release sent to The Gleaner, the festival highlights "creative disrupters," who inventively engage in imaginative work from a decidedly female perspective. Since 2009, VOW has presented film festivals in New York, London and Cannes and hosted talks by women such as Germaine Greer.

VOW has mounted photographic exhibitions in partnership with Getty Images, the Associated Press, Amnesty International and the New York Times. Before the documentary premieres on Sunday, there will be a film festival featuring work by Allison Harris,Toni Blackford, Danielle Russell, Danae Grandison, Michelle Serieux, Gabrielle Blackwood, Amanda Sans Pantling and Makeda Solomon.

Proceeds of the premiere will support the work of Woman Inc to end violence against women and girls in Jamaica.